San Bernardino Public Library - Rights to Literacy Campaign

Rights to Literacy Campaign
Julia Amante Blog: July 29, 2010 - Repost

As an author and former teacher, a mother of young children and a Latina-American who adores and credits libraries and books with the fact that she had the opportunity to become literate, I'm very proud to be participating in a rights to literacy campaign this weekend at my local library.

The best way for me to share information about this event is to let the two fabulous ladies running the events this weekend speak for themselves.

Linda Adams, Computer Lab Coordinator
Paula Miller, Literacy Program Coordinator

Julia: The Norman F. Feldheym Library always has so many great events for the community. You have an upcoming event this weekend. Can you share what the Delcaration to the Rights to Literacy National Literacy Campaign is, and what the public will be signing between July 31st and August 3rd?

Linda and Paula: In June 2009 at the National Community Literacy Conference, a Right to Literacy Convention convened. Delegates from across the country discussed and voted on the U. S. Declaration for the Right to Literacy.

The need is clear – tens of millions of adults and children do not have the skills needed to succeed in life. Literacy is the number one tool to make change and impact economic prosperity. The right to literacy must be a National priority!

The Declaration of the Right to Literacy is supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The Right to Literacy Declaration scroll has traveled the country and has been signed by tens of thousands of supporters. The scroll is making its way to the White House and is expected to be presented to President Obama in September 2010 for Literacy Awareness month.

Julia: Wow, that's exciting! I can't wait to sign it. I agree that being literate is the a great determiner of success in life. I always told my students that if they learned to read, they could learn about anything that interested them. It opens doors to their future.

Linda and Paula: Yes, literacy is essential to ensure prosperity for the nation and self determination for the individual. Changes at the national, regional and local level must take place.

Julia: What events will you have and are they open to the public?

Linda and Paula:

On Saturday, July 31 11:00 am to 4:00 pm we have the Local Author Event you'll be participating in. The “Right to Literacy” -- Authors in Support of Literacy

Local Authors will be invited to display, promote and sell their books as well as sign the Literacy Scroll to show their support.

The public will also be encouraged to sign and view the Scroll.

On Tuesday, August 3 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm we'll have - “Right to Literacy” – A Local Celebrations. Jack L. Hill Literacy Center Open House 3:00 – 5:00 pm

An Open House will showcase the Literacy Department of the Library and will be a precursor to the evening event highlighting the Scroll

Well have speakers 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Local Education and Literacy Advocates speak about their lives and work in promotion of a more literate America.

Speakers will include: Miss Dorothy InghramMr. John WeeksMr. Phil Yeh

Reception 7:00 – 8:00 pmLocal politicians and other dignitaries will be invited to sign the “Declaration for the Right to Literacy” Scroll.

These events are open to the public

Julia: What other programs or events are available at the library throughout the year to encourage Literacy?

Linda and Paula:

The Jack L. Hill Literacy Center at the library provides basic literacy, ESL and citizenship classes as well as homework assistance to school age youth to over 450 adults per year. Today the Literacy Center is venturing into helping people with job seeking and preparation. Although this has always been a small portion of what our adult learners are taught, this year finds us working more diligently on this topic.

The library also has a summer reading program for children and teens. We also have early literacy, baby story time and preschool story times to encourage families to be involved in their children’s reading.

Julia: My students in the past, and my own children have participated in some of these programs, like the summer reading program, so I know they are wonderful. Thank you so much for all you do, and I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

I encourage anyone who lives close to the library to stop by and sign the scroll!

Here is the library address:Norman F. Feldhym Central Library
555 W. 6th St.
San Bernardino, Ca. 92410
Hugs,
Julia

Thank you to Julia Amante for allowing SCLLN to repost from her blog.

San Bernardino Public Library - Declaration for the Right to Literacy

Declaration for the Right to Literacy

Be a part of an historical moment by signing the ‘ Right to Literacy ‘ Scroll at the San Bernardino Public Library. The Scroll will be presented to President Obama at the White House in September 2010.

July 31: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Authors in Support of Literacy
Norman F Feldman Central Library
555 W Sixth - San Bernardino
August 3
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm @ Norman F Feldman Central Library
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm @ Jack L Hill Literacy Open House
with Dorothy Inghram – John Weeks – Phil Yeh
555 W Sixth - San Bernardino

. . . related link of interest:

Declaration for the Right to Literacy
Literacy Powerline: June 17, 2009

Right to Literacy Convention delegates from across the country determined and voted on the first United States Declaration for the Right to Literacy. The Right to Literacy Convention was part of the National Community Literacy Conference in Buffalo, New York on June 13, 2009.

Literacy leaders, using the model of the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, convened from across the nation. The need was clear; tens of millions of adults and children do not have the skills needed to succeed in life. Literacy is the number one tool to change that plight. The right to literacy must be a national priority.

The resolutions support 5 pillars of literacy:
1. Building the Community
2. Strengthening the Family
3. Ensuring People’s Self-Determination
4. Improving the Workforce
5. Transforming the Literacy System

Click here to endorse the

DECLARATION FOR THE RIGHT TO LITERACY !

San Bernardino Public Library - Archie, Betty and Veronica Bring Comic Relief to San Bernardino

Archie, Betty and Veronica Bring Comic Relief to San Bernardino
SB Sun: October 6, 2009 by John Weeks

My favorite souvenir from San Bernardino's recent Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous is a comic book.

It's not just any comic book. It's an Archie comic book.

And it's not just any Archie comic book. It's the current issue of "Betty & Veronica Digest," which features a cover story titled "Route 66 Here We Come," in which Archie and his pals leave their fictional home in Riverdale and head West to visit San Bernardino.

When they get here, lots of good things happen. They meet Mayor Pat Morris, who sports an aloha shirt and greets visitors with a friendly smile. "Welcome, everyone, to San Bernardino!" he says.

Betty and Veronica, along with Veronica's parents, attend the Rendezvous and are amazed at the sights and sounds of the city's summer spectacular. Betty is so inspired, she suggests to Veronica's rich dad, Hiram Lodge, that he develop a similar cruise event featuring the new wave of electric, hybrid and alternative-energy cars.

Meanwhile, Archie and his friend Chuck, a cartoonist, head to the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library where they meet real-life cartoonist Phil Yeh and library staffer Linda Adams, who are collaborating on a mural painting project to promote literacy.

It's a great story. It's entertaining to see the interaction between real and cartoon characters.

Mayor Morris is real. Linda Adams is real. Phil Yeh is real.

Yeh, in fact, is the real star of the story, in more ways than one. The Running Springs artist is founder of Cartoonists Across America, a non-profit literacy and arts advocacy organization that particularly targets young people.

Yeh also has many friends in the cartoon world, including longtime Archie writer George Gladir. That's the connection that explains San Bernardino's starring role in the new "Betty & Veronica Digest" tale, written by Gladir, an Escondido resident. READ MORE !

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - San Bernardino Public Library - San Diego Co Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

San Bernardino Public Library Literacy Center

provides small group tutoring to individuals that desire to improve their basic skills. Tutoring is provided by dedicated volunteers who are trained in literacy instruction by certified trainers through Laubach Literacy.

Classes in Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), Families for Literacy (FFL), After School Homework Assistance, and Citizenship preparation are a sampling of what is offered.

Online Help for Adult Learners

One-on-one assistance with resume reviewing, test preparation for U.S. citizenship and the GED, job search assistance and various other instruction is offered. It is available through San Bernardino Public Library both in the library and remotely via the library website daily 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. for SBPL library cardholders with Internet access. It is closed on July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

LearningExpressLibrary.com

(Sample Test Questions - formerly LearnATest)

Provides sample tests with questions to help preparation for the GED, SAT, CBEST, GRE, ASVAB and various employment-related tests. This database will prompt you to set-up a user name and password. You must keep this information to log in to use the tests. This database is accessible from the library or from home for San Bernardino Public Library cardholders.

Scrabble Night Every third Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Literacy Center at Feldheym. All participants welcome! Come join the fun.

San Diego County Library

L.E.A.R.N. Mission
To help adults improve reading and writing skills to achieve their full potential as community members, family members, workers, and life-long learners;
To teach non-English speakers ESL (English as a Second Language) skills;
To tailor services to individual needs, with confidentiality;
To foster understanding and use of public libraries;
To educate communities on the importance of literacy.

Adult Literacy in San Diego County
An average 20% of adults locally struggle with reading and writing. It can be a source of embarrassment for adults, who are often unwilling to ask for help.

Many have learning disabilities;
Others received insufficient individual instruction in school or at home;
Others are immigrants seeking to learn English.
Adult Literacy Services at San Diego County Library
L.E.A.R.N. offers free, confidential adult literacy and learning services;
Services include one-on-one and small group tutoring and computer-aided instruction; Centers are in the El Cajon and Vista branch libraries;
Services are available at all San Diego County Library branches.

L.E.A.R.N. Newsletter

San Bernardino Public Library - Artists to help create murals

Artists to help create murals
Sun: October 8, 2007 by Cliff Morman

Children in today's society do not have enough positive role models.

This is what Phil Yeh, founder and president of Cartoonists Across America, believes. He hopes to change this.

Yeh will be among the professional cartoonists and artists appearing at the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library in San Bernardino for "Read, Rock and Recycle" from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The cartoonists and artists will join community members in creating murals promoting literacy and recycling on three 4-foot by 4-foot canvases.

"So often we don't hear about artists and writers in this country anymore, which is a serious problem because there's a lot of kids who have no idea what it takes to become an artist or a writer," Yeh said.

He wants to "bring out more artists and writers."

Phil Ortiz, an animator who has contributed to the "The Simpsons"; artist Matt Lorentz, who works for clothing company No Fear and skateboarder Tony Hawk; "Los Angeles Sentinel" cartoonist David Brown; and Hawaii-based freelance artist Marc Martinez will all appear at the event.

The library is at 555 W. Sixth St. in San Bernardino. READ ON

San Bernardino Public Library - Veteran cartoonist takes on new challenge

Veteran cartoonist takes on new challenge
The Sun: August 12, 2006 by Michel Nolan,

An advocate for libraries and literacy, Phil Ortiz was among the participating cartoonists promoting literacy in children through the arts at last month's "Building a World of Readers, Artists and Dreamers" event at the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library in San Bernardino.

Phil Ortiz is surrounded by characters made of squiggly lines.

The Emmy Award-winning animator simply adds ink to bring them to life.

In his Lake Arrowhead home studio, Phil uses pen and ink or magic markers to transport characters from his imagination to paper.

Wild and wacky, disgruntled or droll, silly and irreverent, Phil's characters are born of his creative genius. His magic pen has worked under the auspices of such animation greats as Hanna-Barbera, Disney and Bongo Comics.

"Animation is something I've chased all my life," said Phil, a cartoonist for "The Simpsons" from 1989 to 1990. The main artist for Simpsons comics for more than 10 years, Phil is currently working on a Simpsons Christmas issue, "Springfield's Letters to Santa."

The 52-year-old's credits include work on Hanna-Barbera classics such as "The Flintstones," "The Smurfs," "Richie Rich" and "The Shmoo."

He earned three Emmys for character design on Jim Henson's "Muppet Babies" and worked on Bugs Bunny Sunday and daily comic strips and two Garfield primetime television specials.

He has designed nearly 100 Simpsons merchandise items and lectured throughout California, Mexico and Germany.

Over the decades, Phil's pen has created a galaxy of colorful characters, including Simpsons regulars Apu, Flanders, Ralph, Todd, Otto and Nelson.

Enter Pachuco Boy.

A new animated television show project, "The Adventures of Pachuco Boy," will be different in that the title character will be the first animated Latino superhero.

"It's a first. We're really excited about this project," Phil says. "Our expectations are that it will go to national prime-time television, and we'll start production this fall. We hope to air it in fall 2007."

Phil says he wants the project to be a positive reflection of Latinos.

As designer, developer and producer, Phil says the show is "Latino-friendly." The series will not use computer-generated graphics but instead will use two-dimensional animation.

Celebrity guest voices will help bring characters to life.

Stand-up comic and scriptwriter Michael Montijo created Pachuco Boy. Michael, who is Phil's partner, lives in Casa Grande, Ariz. The Hatchery's Margaret Loesch, an icon in the animation industry, is executive producer.

The original meaning of the word "pachuco" is flashy dresser, Phil says. The creative team hopes to redefine the derogatory term into an image that's more positive for Latino teens.

The "Pachuco Boy" cast will feature such characters as Eddie, Nana, Carmen, Chapo, Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, Chili, Ignacio, Gordo and Clown.

"I love to be drawing," says Phil, who long ago worked on sets for "West Side Story," the senior class play at Bishop Mora Salesian High School in East Los Angeles. "At that time I said my greatest ambition was to work for Hanna-Barbera or Disney and I fulfilled them both. I'm very blessed."

An advocate for libraries and literacy, Phil was among the participating cartoonists promoting literacy in children through the arts at last month's "Building a World of Readers, Artists and Dreamers" event at the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library in San Bernardino.

His efforts on behalf of children earned him a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, presented to him by Assemblyman Joe Baca Jr., D-Rialto.

"I'm just a kid at heart," he says

San Bernardino Public Library - Cartoonists coming to town to boost literacy

Cartoonists coming to town to boost literacySan Bernardino County Sun: July 13, 2006 by Michel Nolan

Cartoonist Phil Yeh hopes to draw a crowd this weekend at San Bernardino's Norman F. Feldheym Central Library. 

Yeh is creator of the befuddled Patrick Rabbit and a menagerie of witty dinosaurs and other wise and wonderful critters.

He is also a passionate children's literacy advocate.

The 51-year-old Santa Maria resident, president of Cartoonists Across America, channels his high energy into inspiring kids to read. Cartoonists Across America will promote literacy and the arts by painting colorful murals on the San Bernardino Public Library's truck and van Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend event calls for famous artists to work side by side with local kids. Everyone is invited to participate.

Library vehicles will be transformed into giant works of mobile art. It'll take several famous artists to make the Van Gogh.

Yeh (pronounced yeah) is the catalyst for the event, "Building a World of Readers, Artists and Dreamers," set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Most artists will appear at Saturday's festivities.

"The whole idea is to use cartoons and humor to show kids that reading can be fun," says Yeh, who has penned 86 books.

Wearing his trademark battered cowboy hat, the artist has covered more than 1 million miles, crisscrossing the United States, Europe and Asia with his cartoonist cohorts, encouraging kids to love books.

It is Yeh's thought that cartoons can be used to actually inspire people of all ages to read. The artists that comprise the Cartoonists Across America and the World organization have toured the globe, painting more than 1,500 colorful murals, speaking at schools, libraries, museums and conferences.

"I've talked to presidents' wives, governors and mayors, and they've all told me they read comics when they first started reading. They would read Superman or Archie comics and then progress to books," Yeh says.

"I want us to make San Bernardino a city of readers and let other cities catch up to San Bernardino. I'm here to help that happen," says Yeh, adding that he'd like to issue a challenge.

"I'd like to challenge famous people to step up for the kids. If this event is successful, why can't writers, artists, actors, musicians, directors, cartoonists stop in San Bernardino on the way to Las Vegas or Palm Springs? They could stop at the library and talk to people about their craft. It could change a young person's life."

Lead artists Yeh and Klaus Leven will be joined by "The Simpsons" cartoonist, Phil Ortiz of Lake Arrowhead.

"Kids have different tastes but they need to find some sort of reading source to spark or jump-start their interest in reading," says Ortiz, who revealed he will be painting his favorite Simpsons character on the van.

"I've painted murals in the past," Ortiz says. "Cartooning animation is something I've chased all my life."

The weekend event also includes family fun with children's authors, live entertainment, food, local celebrities and a remote broadcast by KOLA-FM (99.9). Live entertainment includes an appearance by the Inland Empire 66ers dancers and mascot.

Local bands Live Unity, Deluge and Dionysos will play a musical mix from hip-hop to new age.

Other event artists include George Gladir, Archie comics writer and creator of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and Matt Lorentz, artist for Tony Hawk and No Fear product line, as well as Jim Gilbert, host of "Cartoon Factory."

Authors and cartoonists will speak or participate in presentations in the library's Bing Wong Auditorium throughout the day. They also will be selling and autographing their books and comics in the lobby. Cartoonists Across America will give out free comics. The City of Readers will give out free books.

Yeh's book, "Theo the Dinosaur," is a story for all ages, a kid-friendly tale told in a series of colorful cartoon oil paintings that have been shown in galleries across the country. The book is filled with prehistoric and pithy admonitions pearls like "Read, Rock and Recycle. Avoid Extinction."

Yeh believes that taking comic books away from kids has contributed to illiteracy.

"With no comic books, you're not offering kids the natural progression before they start to read chapter books," he says. "The pictures help them if they don't understand the words."

Even beyond literacy, the young-adult coordinator for the library, Linda Adams, says the event is also aimed at stemming the tide of violence in the community.

Adams recalls former Police Chief Garrett Zimmon's quote about how difficult it is to hold a gun in your hand while holding a book.

"An event like this motivates and encourages kids to be creative and get out and do something they're interested in," Adams says.

"In reality, the library is not just about books, but the whole world of music, art and culture. It's positive and creative."

For more information about Cartoonists Across America, call 909-725-7337.

San Bernardino Public Library - Literacy coordinator brings new worlds to adult learners

Literacy coordinator brings new worlds to adult learnersThe Sun: November 26, 2001 by Jocelyn Cahir

A simple menu, a road map, a street sign. Reading these things is fundamental in everyday life.

Paula Miller, literacy program coordinator for the San Bernardino Public Library, is just the woman to make that possible for everyone.

Miller is being recognized by The Sun for her outstanding work in adult literacy.

"I'm absolutely overwhelmed!" Miller said. "This is truly an honor."

Nominated by principal librarian Millicent Price, Miller is responsible for management, development, training and empowerment of literacy staff.

"Everybody related to the literacy field is so wonderful," Price said. "They are the best people in the whole world. (Paula is) a wonderful human being. She believes in literacy from the bottom of her heart."

Programs such as adult basic education and English as a second language are scheduled at varied times for the convenience of the learner.

"(If) people can't read, they can't function in society," Price said. "(Paula's) so helpful, giving them these skills to function in the world."

The Literacy Center depends on grants for its existence, and Miller happens to be an expert on writing grant applications. The funding sources includes grants from the California Literacy Campaign, Families for Literacy, the U.S. Department of Education and Verizon.

"To offer literacy services, I'm the person that oversees everything and writes the grants for funding," Miller said.

In addition to her normal duties, Miller initiated a free eight-week health education class for new readers, a pilot project she hopes will be expanded statewide. Classes were conducted at the Dorothy Inghram Branch Library and the Paul Villasenor Branch Library. The classes were taught at a third-grade reading level, with the goal of teaching better reading skills to help students better understand health care information.

Officials from the San Bernardino County Health Department and the San Bernardino Fire Department were instructors for some of the classes.

Office manager Glenda Monroe spoke well of Miller.

"She moves furniture with us, teaches class when a tutor is absent, encourages after-school homework and (encourages) students in their studies and leads by example," Monroe said. "(Paula) finds time to learn about everybody in the literacy center and makes it personal, too."

Miller said her work is fulfilling but admits to getting stressed out.

"I do have to say that you wonder why you are here at times, with stress in large, but when you have an adult student that, for the first time, was able to read a menu or a street sign and hug you and thank you, it's all worth it," she said. "An adult can tell you they've done these things that's what makes it worthwhile. That's ultimately why I'm here